Garmin Edge 1030

The 1030 is Garmin’s latest handlebar super computer, with an amazing feature set and easy to read touch screen display, with multiple connectivity and syncing options. Reliability is proving much better than previous big screen Garmins too, although it’s still not the most intuitive unit.

The 3.5in colour touch screen is useful for configuring up to 10 different on-screen cells, but operation is hit and miss on the bike particularly if wearing gloves. It comes loaded with Strava Routes and TrainingPeaks Connect software and various ‘widgets’ you can add to detect power meters, heart rate monitors and so on are neat touches. It pairs and syncs well to sensors, smartphones and WiFi . While up/ downloading is normally seamless, configuration menus can be confusing and the non-QWERTY keyboard is a pain. ‘Smart’ navigation and rider to rider messaging features aren’t always that smart and planning routes on the Garmin is more awkward than a basic smartphone. The warning prompts for sharp turns and so on are handy if you’re riding a new route and navigation display and correction suggestion is the best of any current cycling GPS.

The more features you run (particularly navigation) the more it’ll fall short of its 20-hour claimed battery life. It’s got 70 per cent more battery capacity than the previous 1000 flagship and The Charge supplementary battery doubles lifespan for an extra £119.99. You get a solid out-front mount included and our experience with several 1030s suggest Garmin has largely solved the previous reliability glitches of its bigger units.